That gentle kiss on the forehead was like a pebble thrown into the lake of the heart, creating ripples layer upon layer in Su Wanwan's heart that could not be quelled.
"Can't help it"... These four words echoed repeatedly in her mind, each syllable striking at her sensitive heartstrings. She stood there blankly on the terrace. The evening breeze caressed her burning cheeks, but it couldn't dispel the sudden fluttering and panic.
It was not until Lu Tingchen returned that his expression had regained its usual composure, as if the unexpected kiss just now had never happened. It's time to go back. His voice was calm, as if merely reminding her that the dinner party was over.
Su Wanwan blushed and lowered her head, not daring to look at him. She followed him like a frightened little quail. On the way back, the atmosphere in the car was strangely quiet. She stared at the fleeting night view outside the window all the way, but her heart was pounding like a rabbit in her chest.
Lu Tingchen seemed to be unusually silent as well, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing against the folds of his suit pants.
The effect of this high-profile appearance was immediate. The next day, the overwhelming negative news that had been there before indeed decreased significantly. Instead, there were photos and videos of them being a loving couple at the art exhibition last night. Lu Tingchen's powerful public relations team promptly followed up, issued a formal legal statement, and strictly pursued the legal responsibility of the media that spread rumors. Their attitude was firm and beyond doubt.
After the stock market opened, although the share price of Lu's company still fluctuated, the decline narrowed significantly and gradually stabilized.
However, just as Su Wanwan was about to breathe a little relief, the butler of the old house called in person - the old man wanted to see her. See her alone.
What is destined to come can never be avoided. The show at an art exhibition can deceive outsiders, but it can't deceive the shrewd old man.
Su Wanwan's heart tightened again. She changed into a decent dress and, with a heart as if willing to die, went alone to the Lu family's old residence.
In the study, Old Master Lu was sitting behind a redwood desk, his expression serious and imposing without even showing anger. He didn't beat around the bush and threw a stack of photos directly onto the table - precisely those crystal-clear original pictures of the casinos in Macau.
"Wanwan," the old man's voice was deep and slow, but it carried great pressure. "There are no outsiders here." Tell me, what on earth is going on? Tingchen is protecting you, taking on everything and saying that it's a conspiracy of a business rival. But my old man is not so confused as to be unable to distinguish right from wrong.
Su Wanwan looked at those photos, her face pale and her fingers tightly intertwined. She knew that in the presence of an old man who had weathered many storms, any sophistry was in vain. She took a deep breath and made a decision.
"Grandpa," she raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears, but no longer dodged. "I'm sorry." The person in the photo is my elder sister, Su Mingwei."
She chose to be honest. But instead of revealing everything, it's half true and half false, taking the responsibility onto oneself.
It was I who asked Tingchen to help hide it. My elder sister... In a moment of confusion, I got into trouble in Macao and ended up in debt. I'm afraid that if this matter is exposed, it will damage the reputation of the Lu family, and I'm even more afraid... I'm even more afraid that if you find out, you won't like me and think the Su family is a big trouble..." Her voice choked up, filled with genuine remorse and unease. "That's why I asked Tingchen to help me deal with it and keep it from you..." It's all my fault. I was too eager to keep this marriage going and too afraid of losing everything I have now...
She spoke, her tears sliding down just right, looking both fragile and sincere. She didn't mention the word "substitute marriage", only admitted to concealing the fact that her sister had caused trouble, and attributed the motive to her concern for the Lu family's reputation and her cherishing of this marriage.
The old man's sharp eyes stared at her for a long time, as if judging the truth or falsehood of her words.
The study was so quiet that one could hear each other's breathing.
After a long while, the old man suddenly let out a long sigh, and the stern expression on his face eased a little: "Silly child..."
He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip and said slowly, "The Lu family has a big tree that attracts the wind. What storms haven't they seen?" A little debt is not enough to inflict serious damage on the Lu family. Tingchen handled it right. Family disgrace should not be made public."
He changed the subject and his gaze became profound: "However, concealment and deception are the greatest taboos." You young people always think you can deceive everyone, but you don't know that there is no such thing as a completely airtight wall in this world. This time we managed to hold it down by chance. What about next time?"
Su Wanwan lowered her head and said, "Grandpa, I know I was wrong."
"Get up." The old man waved his hand. "Let's call it a day for this matter." Since Tingchen chose to protect you, I believe you have your own merits. From now on, if anything happens, just speak out. The Lu family won't be so unreasonable."
Su Wanwan froze, almost unable to believe her ears. Just like this... Is it over? Grandpa didn't delve deeply into "substitute marriage", and didn't even blame her too much for concealing it?
"Thank you, Grandpa..." She choked up, this time expressing her sincere gratitude.
"Don't thank me." The old man looked at her with a complicated expression, "If you want to thank me, thank that kid Tingchen." From childhood to adulthood, he has never been so protective of anyone. Even for you, this is the first time he's played tricks on me, an old man."
The old man paused for a moment, his tone full of meaning: "Wanwan, this kid Tingchen may seem cold on the outside, but in fact, he is very sentimental." Once he sets his heart on someone, he will protect them to the end. You... Don't let him down."
Su Wanwan's heart trembled violently because of the old man's words. She nodded blankly.
When she left the study, her steps were still a bit unsteady, as if she were walking on the clouds. I never thought that the greatest crisis would be overcome in such a nearly accepted way?
Just as I was going down the stairs, I happened to run into Lu Tingchen, who seemed to have "just" returned.
He stood at the entrance of the living room, his gaze immediately falling on her still slightly red-rimmed eyes. His brows furrowed imvisibly: "Grandpa is making things difficult for you?" "
Su Wanwan shook her head. Recalling her grandfather's words, a complex warm current welled up in her heart, and her gaze at him softened involuntarily: "No." Grandpa... "Very good."
Lu Tingchen carefully examined her expression, confirming that she wasn't forcing it. Only then did he almost let out a sigh of relief. He reached out his hand very naturally and took her hand: "Then let's go home."
His palm was broad and warm, completely enveloping her hand, carrying a reassuring force.
Su Wanwan didn't break free. She let him hold her hand and felt that sense of solid security. Sunlight streamed in through the stained glass of the old house, casting colorful shadows on their clasped hands.
At this moment, she suddenly felt that perhaps this marriage that began with a substitute could truly lead to a different future.
However, this brief moment of tranquility was soon shattered.
Just back at the apartment, Qin Hao delivered an urgent message with a solemn expression - Lu Meilin, who had been temporarily silent after being threatened by Lu Tingchen, had not really stopped. She actually got in touch with Su Mingwei secretly!
We intercepted an encrypted call from Macau to Mrs. Su's (Wang Meijuan's) home. After verification, it was found that it was someone from our great-aunt who induced Miss Mingwei to call back. The content of the call... The main point is to incite Miss Mingwei to return to her home country and imply that as long as she comes back, "everything that should belong to her" can be retrieved. When Qin Hao was reporting, his tone was filled with suppressed anger.
Lu Tingchen's expression instantly turned icy cold: "She really doesn't shed tears until she sees a coffin." "
Su Wanwan's heart also sank. Sister Su Mingwei is already an unstable factor. If she is persuaded by Lu Meilin to return to China... The truth about the substitute marriage can no longer be concealed!
Just then, Su Wanwan's own mobile phone rang as well. The caller ID - it was her aunt, Wang Meijuan!
Su Wanwan looked at the name jumping on the screen and then at Lu Tingchen with a stern expression. The heart she had just put back in her stomach suddenly tightened again.
The mountain rain is about to come, and the wind fills the tower.